FastFind »   Lastname: doi:10.1029/ Year: | Advanced Search  

AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Keywords

  • strain localization
  • dynamic ruptures

Index Terms

  • Seismology: Earthquake dynamics
  • Structural Geology: Rheology and friction of fault zones
  • Nonlinear Geophysics: Nonlinear differential equations

Abstract

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 35, L12310, 5 PP., 2008
doi:10.1029/2008GL033835

Shear strain localization in elastodynamic rupture simulations

Eric G. Daub

Physics Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA

M. Lisa Manning

Physics Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA

Jean M. Carlson

Physics Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA

We study strain localization as an enhanced velocity weakening mechanism on earthquake faults. Fault friction is modeled using Shear Transformation Zone (STZ) Theory, a microscopic physical model for non-affine rearrangements in granular fault gouge. STZ Theory is implemented in spring slider and dynamic rupture models of faults. We compare dynamic shear localization to deformation that is uniform throughout the gouge layer, and find that localized slip enhances the velocity weakening of the gouge. Localized elastodynamic ruptures have larger stress drops and higher peak slip rates than ruptures with homogeneous strain.

Received 3 March 2008; accepted 24 April 2008; published 28 June 2008.

Citation: Daub, E. G., M. L. Manning, and J. M. Carlson (2008), Shear strain localization in elastodynamic rupture simulations, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L12310, doi:10.1029/2008GL033835.

Cited By

Please wait one moment ...